On the Menu

I am going to do something that has been done before.
But, not by me.

                                                 ***

I am excited to start a new 'series' that encompasses two of my favorite things.
Food.
food. 
food. 
food.

Oh, and fashion, I guess.
I got sidetracked.



I will be creating posts that pair a new recipe I have tried with an outfit specifically assembled to compliment the dish.




Now, I do plan on posting recipes that worked out for the better...but I cannot promise that I won't pass on my own personal {kitchen disaster} here and there. Laughing is healthy.




Stay tuned!

Here's a taste into what the first post will entail...

And, I used to think the 80s were fashion-less. 

That Time I Lived in TX.

One year. I lived in Texas for a year. It was brutal.

Wait.


I love Texas...I have no qualms with its 'colorful' language, numerous taco houses, huts, casas, bells...the quirky smiles on lower Greenville, the stereotypical and truly unreal big hair...I enjoyed it all. It was an adventure. 

I remember driving away, the day after Christmas, over 4 years ago. I was in my little coupe, next to my fiance with the trunk fuller than it should have been with my clothes, picture frames, and other things I did not really need.

What I forgot to take with me was the most important thing. Call it maturity, call it being myself, call it bravery.

I was excited, beyond excited to start a new chapter. Then the new chapter started and it sucked. I was scared, and upset and I crawled into a cave. Sadly, I crawled into that cave during what could have been a joyous time in my life. 
But, there is a happy ending to this tale.

***

I have wonderful friends and an amazing family, but I did not turn to them when things got harsh. I had a knack for wrapping myself in old band aids and calling it a day. Gross. 
I shut off from everyone back home and wallowed in high times and very low times, there was no grey area in Texas.

We went on fun excursions and silly trips. We saw movies and ate amazing food. I loved spending time with his family. I met some crazy awesome people at a great job. We were in love and completely immature. We fought in ways I never saw us fighting. We acted out in pain and chose hurtful words. In the midst of happy times there are painful memories that I am okay with fading away.

Let's not forget, this has a happy ending, remember?

I don't feel the need to go into more detail at this point, but Texas treated me well, and I did not return the favor.

***

I moved back home and resumed my classes and got a new job. I mended relationships and accepted my family's comforting words. My (now husband) and I were fine, we really were, but we needed this time to grow.

We matured incredibly. We still act like children at times, but shew whee did we need this. 

I appreciate my family, friendships, and home more than I ever could have before. 

I realize the importance of relationship variety and how not just maintaining, but treasuring these gifts is so necessary.

We learned how to better love one another, and also what needs to come first. We were not walking with the Lord in Texas. Sure, we went to church here and there but our attempts at living our faith were weak and pathetic. 

We can't imagine, now, being in a relationship together without keeping the Lord at our center. We have fostered new and "old" friendships that help keep us aware of this goal...we have family that cares about us and we are extremely thankful.

When I thought back to Texas I would feel overwhelmed with anxiety and grief. It was a dark and sad memory. Now, I understand why I had to have this experience. Why we needed to have this experience. We have so much more respect for each other today.

I remind myself daily, that hardships do not have to be in vain. Use them. We will have more, we will go through seasons, but look what we can accomplish with God's help and guidance. I hate fear with a passion and I...we will no longer let it rule our actions.

***

Woah, Allison, why such a serious post? Because. I am a talker, but this is one thing I have never been able to truly talk about. So, instead of renewing my lease in that cave, I brought it out in the open. A much more positive move, don't you think?


We absolutely love visiting Texas and my husband's family, we genuinely wish we could go more often. I love that Texas is "back" to being the place where we dated, where my shopping issue is at full throttle, and the place where my husband and I have truly happy memories.

xoxo

{Be on the lookout for one of my favorite looks inspired by my fond memories of Texas} 

Refrigerator Meal

I have been eating this dish for weeks now, and I am loving how easy and delicious it is! Jake has gotten on board as well...like, I didn't even have to talk it up, he just ate it and liked it. One of the best parts (aside from the good food noises you will make while eating this) is you can throw so many different things into it.


Caution: I love cabbage. I grew up eating it often and love the smell of it cooking. I know many people who are not as keen to it, and even if I don't understand it, I can live with it.



For this meal you will need:

1-2 bags of plain coleslaw
Lean ground turkey (chicken or sausage would be good too)
1 tablespoon olive oil (2 if you are making this two meals and adding more ingredients)
2 cloves of garlic
Salt and Pepper to taste
++Extras++
Shredded carrots

Maybe not the prettiest meal, but one of the tastiest. 

Broccoli-chopped
Onion-chopped
Zucchini-diced
Sweet potato-diced
Rice
Quinoa

I brown the meat first over medium heat, set aside and then saute the cabbage and vegetables in the oil. I love love the way it tastes the longer it all cooks together, but I am in a rush sometimes too. Therefore, cooking times will vary to your personal preference. Once the cabbage has 'wilted' and the veggies are softened, add the meat back in and let simmer a bit longer. 
At this point, if I am adding another starch, like potatoes, I add it now (after already being precooked). Now, literally just throw it all into a big bowl and enjoy.


{{Jake has, a couple times, put this all onto some tortillas for a twist on tacos. I usually eat mine like a cave woman from a bowl...it is that good}}


Total cook time: about 30 minutes (including prep)
Calories: about 390 cals (for one large serving)



This meal is chocked full of healthy veggies, fats, and protein!





XoXo

Warby Parker: 2014 Winter Collection Launch

Accessories can completely make an outfit...they can add that extra dollop of sweetness or chutzpah to your look.

What better way to accomplish this than with sleek eye wear...your face is the first thing people see, and presents your personality {almost} instantly. 

Warby Parker's new Winter Collection does just that.

I am being modest here. If I could type my reactions to gawking through their new items, there would not be space on this page. 

If I was still 13 and did not know that too many exclamation points were childish, I would use all. of. them.

When I was sent the materials and photos for their new collection, I had a November Christmas moment. My husband thought it was just the funniest thing ever, but I unwrapped each zip drive like a mad woman. And, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Serious Face, sauntered over and looked through the pages with me, thoroughly impressed.

Where, how do I even begin?

To 'intro' this piece, here is Warby Parker's own take on their polished new collection...

"The six new rich tones and eight new shapes 

from this year’s Winter Collection will help 

you put your best foot—or face, rather—forward, 

even in the event of a polar vortex. We mixed 

stainless steel with acetate, freshened up 

existing silhouettes with color treatments, 

and renovated classic shapes for unshakably 

confident options with a lot of character.

Available November 4 online and in stores 

and showrooms; starting at $95"

Polished. I have to repeat myself. 
Their vision for these looks is undeniably pristine and yet relaxed. One of my favorites is the 'Keene Beach Glass.' I am a fan of grey, pretty much all shades. I love to decorate with it, wear it, etc. These are so clean and can be easily dress up or paired with a tee and leather jacket for a more casual feel. They are pretty, but precisely understated. 


Another trend seen in their new collection is tortoise, including a 'burnt lemon' take on the pattern. Burnt lemon...that just sounds interesting! And, do not be scared off by yellow, I know I have trouble wearing the color (because of my skin tone and hair color), but it is a soft touch of the hue, just enough to grab your attention, but not overtake the print. 

Glasses are not supposed to cover your face. They have their "necessary" duty, of course...but eye wear should accentuate your natural colors, features, and personal style. Warby Parker does an exceptional job at creating unique and beautiful pieces that do not overpower their proprietor. 

* ***  *******  *** *

To find a complete list and graphics of their Winter Collection click here.

* ***  *******  *** *

One last fun idea...I put together two outfits at the shop (Mosaic) and I think the 'Barkley Antique Shale Fade' sunglasses would be a most stylish asset to these looks. 
  

Thank YOU for taking the time to check out my thoughts on Warby Parker's Winter Collection 2014. I am eager to hear the public reception of the new line. Warby Parker was gracious enough to desire my opinion and words on their creations, and I appreciate that so much. I decided to accept their invitation to write on this because I was truly smitten with their designs and excited attitude.

XoXo

I'm Back..With Some Very Exciting News!

I disappeared!

Thank goodness I found myself again.

Phew.

Can I still apologize? Or is it too late for that...Will you take me back?

I broke my foot running, and then I decided that wasn't enough and tore a ligament in my right knee.

I did this running too soon after my boot came off. (Didn't she post about patience one time?)

Yes, yes she did, and I am learning my lesson in patience the hard way, but I am learning, I try to make that the point.

I also got an internship! 
I am still working/styling at Mosaic, but I am also a collections intern at a museum here, and I. LOVE. IT. I sneeze a lot, but mostly I am happy to be surrounded by tangible history on a daily basis.

So, things have been cooky, to say the least.

I am still married, Jake hasn't quite had enough of my crazy just yet.

..................................................................................

What I am really (really really really) excited to share with you is that I am going to be back at it 110% starting with...

Warby Parker recently contacted me to help them launch their Winter Collection!

If you are not sure who they are, Warby Parker is a fashion forward sunglasses and prescription eye-wear line/website. (Check them out here).

I am beyond grateful to be a part of their big launch, it is going to be very exciting! 

The official Winter Collection debut is tomorrow, the 4th. I plan on posting late morning/early afternoon. 

...................................................................................

I am still not able to run, so you may get some off the wall posts here and there. I have given you fair warning. Thanks for not leaving me, and I'll see you here tomorrow!

XoXo

Impatient Patience

Silly title? Maybe...but I am a self-declared and well accepted walking and talking oxymoron.

*I break my foot and then fall again on crutches.

*I tell everyone I am learning patience through all of this, and I am pretty much lying to (the inside of) my face.

*I tell myself I can still do upper body and core workouts, with a super positive and happy voice. Then I do them for the first week, and say, ehhh.

C'mon now. 

My situation is not bad. Not even all that stinky. 

*I have read 3 books. 

*I have watched some sweet movies (yes, I totally will take that as a positive right now).

*I am re-teaching myself the discipline of making my lunches and dinners over quick and easy meals.

*My husband and I are forced to communicate in different ways, as I am pretty much home most of the time (aside from work, and the occasional times I am "allowed" to venture out on my hobble foot).

*My dog is ECSTATIC about this new arrangement of me not leaving her.

As hard or difficult I may think a moment is, it is just that: a moment. 

I have decided to conquer a few health goals at the same time. Not the greatest idea, but like I told a friend the other day, "most of my goals were fitness related before, and now they simply cannot revolve around that."

So, I am trying to do as many (girl) push-ups as I possibly can. But, I am also taking the time to check off a few other things on my list. One of those is, again, making wholesome meals, which is not as hard as I had made it out to be in my head. Another is to decrease the amount of medicine in my body. This is a pretty personal one, so if you have any questions concerning this please do not hesitate to message or email me, I am happy to discuss.

When you make changes for/to your body, it is not going to be easy. 9 times out of 10 it is going to feel like a struggle. But, those 9 times out of 10 are also totally worth it. I am proving to my body that it can heal itself. That I can overcome fears and anxieties that once plagued my everyday.

Broken foot? Yeah, it does suck. I really want to go for a run. Do some squats. Rollerblade. Anything at this point. But, is God telling me to "wait, a minute" and pay attention to some other aspects of my life? You bet.

Now, go on a walk/run for me..mail me the burned calories and I'll see you out there in 6 weeks ;)

Be Mine, Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day darlings! 

No matter how you are spending your day I hope it is sweet in many different ways!

PS: eat some chocolate, it'll taste even more delicious than usual.

Stuck On You

© Kenneth J. Miller

You're sucrose, you're glucose,
You're fructose and more,
From your head to your feet...
Which are stuck to the floor.

You're Hershey's, you're Snickers,
You're sweet English Toffee.
If you spit in my cup,
You'll just sweeten my coffee.

I love you so much
That I'm getting frenetic,
But I can't even kiss you,
'cause I'm diabetic.

XoXoXo